NYT: Putin Has Shown His True Colors

Why the Iranian regime was left alone at a critical moment.

Although Russia, China, Iran and North Korea share a common anti-Western rhetoric and some coordination, real mutual assistance between these countries in conflicts is limited, which undermines the idea of a full-fledged "axis" of autocratic allies. This is evidenced by recent events in Iran, when at a critical moment neither the Russian Federation, nor the PRC, nor the DPRK came to its aid, writes The New York times.

The article notes that when Russia enlisted the help of China, North Korea and Iran in its war against Ukraine, some U.S. and British officials began talking about the emergence of a new "axis," saying that the four countries seemed united by authoritarianism and a certain hostility toward the United States and its allies.

But after the bombing of Iran by Israel and then the United States, there was doubt about the unity between these countries, because none of them rushed to support Iran. China and Russia only issued formal condemnations of America's actions, but, the piece says, "did not lift a finger to materially help Iran."

"The reality of this conflict was that Russia and China did not rush to Iran's aid. This only emphasizes the limitations of the Axis concept. Each of them (countries. - ed.) is quite selfish and does not want to get involved in the other's wars. These are very different wars and different conflicts. The countries don't necessarily share the same values and institutional ties in the same way that the United States and its allies do," said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.

The one thing these four countries have in common is that they are autocratic and cherish animosity toward the United States, which has traditionally sought to weaken them and question their legitimacy. These countries also have certain strategic ties that have enabled them to ease the economic sanctions imposed on them by the West. This includes trade between them and the exchange of military technology.

"Yes, there is probably very modest coordination between China, North Korea, Iran and Russia - in the sense that they communicate with each other and have some shared frustrations about the United States or the West. But it doesn't really matter," said Michael Kimmage, a professor of history at the Catholic University of America and a former State Department official who wrote a book on the war in Ukraine.

The publication notes that among these countries, only Russia and North Korea have a mutual defense treaty. This has manifested itself in North Korea supplying weapons to Russia and sending more than 14,000 troops to fight alongside the Russians against Ukrainian forces.

"There are no shared values beyond vague platitudes about a 'multipolar world order,' and there are many contradictions. Putin has indicated what they are: his relations with Iran's neighbors, including Israel and the Arab states, are too important to be sacrificed on the altar of Russian-Iranian friendship," said Johns Hopkins University historian Sergei Radchenko.

The historian said Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is "a cynical manipulator interested only in his own strategic interests," and if he has to "throw Iran under his wheels to do so, he is ready to do it." According to Radchenko, "the feeling is completely mutual in Tehran."

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